Q. Where will I live?
Students live cooperatively in Urban Life Center furnished apartments in Hyde Park; a Chicago neighborhood on the South East side of the city. You'll live with 4-5 other students in a furnished 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment. Your neighbors will be other students and professionals in the neighborhood.

click here for directions to Hyde Park

Hyde Park

Most apartments are"six-flats," which means there are six apartments in each building. Your neighbors will be graduate students and families.

Q. What are the apartments like?

A. Every ULC apartment is fully furnished with a kitchen, living room, dining room, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Students live 5 to an apartment.

Within each residential unit, among the things you'll be responsible for are: taking care of the apartment, reporting problems to staff, assisting in menu planning and buying food within a budget, taking your turn in food preparation, and participating in weekly house meetings (normally Monday evenings).

All students will share their bedroom with one other student. Generally, single rooms are not available.

The living space becomes a nexus for community among participants and some of the best learning happens in the context of late night discussions. Life long friendships are often forged through this aspect of the ULC program. All students are required to participate in cooperative living as part of the ULC experience.

Q.What do I need to bring?
You are expected to bring your own linens (sheets, pillowcase, blanket, and towels). A laundry room is available a short walk from your apartment, and accepts quarters for washing and drying. Supermarkets, shops, and cleaners are also located a short walk from the apartment.
The kitchen is fully furnished but some students bring a grill and/or blender.

Q. Do we pay for our own food?
You’ll have a charge account with your roommates for food and cleaning supplies at two markets close to the apartments. Each apartment is given a food budget. This is included in your Program Fee.

Will I find out who I am living with before the term starts?
If available, you’ll find out housemate and address assignments before your arrival. Once you arrive you'll choose your own room within the apartment.

Q. Will I find a good internship in my field?

A. Yes! Chicago offers nearly unlimited placement sites and is the nation's second largest job market. Urban Life Center students have been placed in over 500 internships in the past seven years alone. We will assist you in finding an internship based on your interest and the requirements of your major. From interviews to final evaluation, you will gain insight into possible job directions as well as marketable skills.
The internship is 3 to 4 days a week, depending on which term you choose to attend.

Q. How much credit can I earn?

A. Students earn 16 credit hours for the semester, 8-9 for the summer and 3-4 for Post-term and January Term. Credit can fit your major-check with your advisor to determine which courses to register for on campus. Actual credit distribution varies with different colleges.
more about Applying & Credit

Q. Can I afford it?

A. Yes! A term of study at Urban Life Center is usually the same cost as staying on campus, with an additional City Activity Fee which covers out-of-pocket required expenses. Typically, tuition for your term is paid to your college or university as if you were staying on campus. Instead of campus room and board, you'lll pay the ULC Program Fee which covers room, board, cultural events, public transportation in the city, textbooks and other class fees. There is a refundable $50 cleaning deposit for each term.

Finacial aid may apply to all fees - check with your financial aid advisor.

Click here for fees

Q. When is the application deadline?
A. We don't have a deadline for applications and accept on a first-come-first served basis.
However, please check with your campus liaison for any deadlines for your institution of study.

Q. Will I be safe?

A. Yes. Urban Life Center devotes much attention to issues of safety. Students learn how to judge safety in the city as well as how to react should uncomfortable situations arise. Every term includes an orientation to Chicago's public transportation (busses and trains) and a personal safety workshop by Chimera. The confidence and skills gained through personal safety awareness is one of the greatest rewards of Urban Life Center participation.

You will learn how to get about the city independently and safely.

Urban Life Center Mission Statement

Urban Life Center believes:

That the city is an ideal school for learning how to live in a multicultural, complex and changing world;

That learning is most effective when there is a "hands-on" experiential component;

That effective learning equips the participant for responsible and active involvement in both personal and public life.

Based on these premises, Urban Life Center's mission is to provide multicultural and urban education programs in Chicago for national and international colleges and universities, religious groups, civic and community organizations, and businesses. These programs include internships, volunteer placements and seminars designed to increase awareness of critical issues and provide avenues for involvement in constructive change.

Urban Life Center was incorporated as a nonprofit with 501(c)3 status in 1970.

Urban Life Center
Make Chicago your Classroom